Sunday, June 23, 2013

7 ways to make time for prayer

St. Francis in Prayer Before the Crucifix by El Greco (Photo:Wikimedia Commons).

Are you having trouble finding time for prayer every day? Here are some suggestions.

1. Ask yourself whether daily prayer is your top priority.

If you don’t see the need for prayer, you won’t be faithful to it.
Prayer doesn’t take us away from our duties; it gives us strength to
fulfill them. No matter what your vocation or how busy it keeps you, God
wants to strengthen you in it through prayer. If you have a hard time
seeing the importance of prayer, (re-)read Why should you pray?.

2. Simplify your life.

We are all too busy with work, volunteering, and socializing. Cut out
some of your unnecessary activities. Reduce the number of events you
chauffeur your kids to. In extreme cases, you may have to consider a job
change so work doesn’t devour your life. Do whatever you must to slow
down and refocus your life on Christ. You won’t be sorry you did.

What about material possessions? Do you own so much that you spend
all your “free” time caring for your stuff? Give some of your goods to
the poor and really free up your time. What can you do without?

3. Turn off the TV and computer.

If you have time for your favorite program, you have time for prayer.
A 30-minute conversation with Christ will refresh you more than a
sitcom. Maybe you only read blogs like this one. St. Frances de Sales
cautioned people against thinking they were holy simply because they
read a lot of spiritual books. The same could be said of reading
Catholic blogs in our day. Is it time to switch off the computer and put
your faith into practice?